A web-based fundraiser is being run by a charity set up after the death of a Grantham soldier in Afghanistan.

The virtual balloon race fundraiser has been set up by Shrapnel, a charity established by Sharon Wigley following the death of her son Jonathan, a Royal Marine, in 2006.

It costs £2 per balloon to take part and participants can choose a colour and name for their balloon. You can have as many balloons as you wish. To take part go to www.balloonrace.com/shrapnel.

Mrs Wigley now lives in Hampshire but still raises funds with the help of friends in Grantham. Shrapnel raises money to buy equipment to help injured soldiers.

Mrs Wigley said: “We set out to raise money for prosthetic limbs and wheelchairs, but we will help them with anything they need to do with their disability.”

She added: “Balloons cost £2 each and you can be assured all money raised is going to a fantastic cause. We have a starting prize of a £30 Amazon voucher but we will increase the value of our first prize and add more prizes according to the number of balloons we sell.”

Jonathan was a pupil at Central Technology and Sports College from 1996 to 2001 and attended King’s School before signing up as a Royal Marine at the age of 17.